Profession quarry engineer

Quarry engineers analyse which extraction methods such as excavating, drilling and blasting are most suited to extract raw materials from the ground. They develop plans before a new quarry is opened, assessing if the quarry is profitable. Quarry engineers manage the everyday operations in a quarry, create and maintain progress reports, oversee the staff, ensure health and safety and assess the environmental impact a quarry has on its environment.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

Knowledge

• Mine safety legislation

  The laws, regulations and codes of practice relevant to safety in mining operations.

• Mining engineering

  Fields of engineering relevant to mining operations. Principles, techniques, procedures and equipment used in the extraction of minerals.

• Impact of geological factors on mining operations

  Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.

• Geology

  Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

• Mechanical engineering

  Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.

• Mechanics

  Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Skills

• Ensure compliance with safety legislation

  Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.

• Procure mechanical machinery

  Procure adequate machinery. Research the market to find the best machinery, staying within budget limits, and negotiate the purchase. Maintain records.

• Advise on geology for mineral extraction

  Provide advice of the impact of geological factors on the development of mineral production. Take into account factors such as cost, safety, and characteristics of deposits.

• Advise on mine production

  Provide advice on the preparation of schedules and reports on mine production, facilities, systems and production processes and production rates to assess operational effectiveness.

• Prepare technical reports

  Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.

• Advise on mine development

  Provide advice on the development and construction of mines, facilities, systems and production rates to assess operational effectiveness.

• Write technical reports

  Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.

• Maintain records of mining operations

  Maintain records of mine production and development performance, including performance of machinery.

• Carry out geological explorations

  Perform exploration activities for mines and fields with the aim of analysing the properties of the area and finding ores.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB